TWO-GOAL Thierry Henry insisted the "true face of Arsenal" had finally emerged in the Champions League after last night's 5-1 thrashing of Inter Milan in the San Siro.

The Gunners, in dazzling form in the Premiership this season, had struggled in Europe and knew a defeat in Milan would see them crash out of the competition.

But Henry led the way as the real Arsenal at long last stood up in Europe, firing the Gunners ahead and restoring their lead after Christian Vieri had equalised.

Freddie Ljungberg, Edu and Robert Pires put the gloss on a stunning victory with further goals as Arsenal ran riot to claim the club's biggest win in the Champions League.

Henry, rounding on the critics who branded Arsenal Euro flops, said, "People speculated about our commitment and desire but before tonight we didn't have all the luck.

"We didn't show the true face of Arsenal in the Champions League until tonight. Everyone was waiting for us to do something in Europe and tonight we did."

Arsenal's victory was sweet revenge for Inter Milan's 3-0 win at Highbury and Henry added, "We did the same to them as they did to us. Now we are level on points with them and have the edge on them over the two games between us."

Ljungberg, who made victory safe with Arsenal's third, said, "It's easy to build on things once you get a lead and, in the second half, we relaxed a bit and played like we can.

"They had to come forwards and we are a bit quick on the break and punished them."